Medical garments

ABSTRACT

A medical outfit having one or more garments is provided. An example garment has a front portion including an opening for a person&#39;s neck, and an off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the neck area. The off-center opening may extend less than the full length of the front portion. This example garment may also have one or more slanted and/or upright side pockets. The back portion of the garment may include an off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the neck opening. Another example garment, which may be worn with or without another example garment, is a covering for the lower part of a patient. The garment may have left and/or right side openings configured to be closeable and extending downwardly from a waist section. The waist section may be adjustable at one or both the right and left side openings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical garments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hospital gown, a hospital shirt, and hospital shorts.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Hospital gowns are typically knee length garments made of large sheets of cloth material with neck and waist ties on the open sides of the material. Hospital gowns are placed on a patient while the patient is standing, lying down, or sitting, and are retained by joining the neck and waist ties at the backside of the patient. Body areas that are generally considered “private areas” are exposed when they are uncovered for examinations and procedures, such as cardiac monitoring, catheterizations, wound dressings, injections, feed line insertions, etc. The exposure of a patient's “private areas” during such procedures often causes embarrassment and stress. Thus, there is a need for a hospital garment that provides accessibility to a patient's body for medical procedures while at the same time providing some privacy for the patient. There is also a need for a hospital garment that is configured to provide support for different medical equipment. There is also a need for a hospital garment that is comfortable, inexpensive and durable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a medical garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a medical garment according to an embodiment of the present invention with a monitoring device.

FIG. 3 shows a medical garment in an open-shoulder position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an interior view of a medical garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a medical garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts with a front opening in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts with a left side opening in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a medical gown is provided for heart patients requiring cardiac monitoring and for patients requiring cardiac catheterizations. Additionally, the gown may be provided for any patient that has drains or tubes or would simply like more privacy and coverage. The gown may be configured to provide open access at the top such that the chest and/or a sternal incision are easy to access and view. The gown also may include pockets, e.g., two pockets on the outside and one pocket on the inside of the gown to hold medical equipment, e.g., a cardiac monitor and/or tubes. The pockets may be offset toward the sides of the gown and/or may be provided at an angle. These features offer comfort and facilitate movement. For example, some medical devices, e.g., a heart monitor, may be hung from a patient's neck. Such a configuration can be uncomfortable due to the weight of the monitor. Further, such a configuration of a hanging medical device may cause infection(s) and/or injury due to the contact between, e.g., the hanging heart monitor and a patient's chest wound. The aforementioned pockets of the gown, when configured to hold a heart monitor, may therefore serve, for example, to help prevent potential sternal wound infections and/or further wounding by keeping the heart monitor off the sternal incision.

In a further example embodiment, the shoulders of the hospital gown may provide for easy accessibility for intravenous therapy. For example, the shoulders may have hook and loop closures running down the exterior of the sleeves. The back portion of the gown may also have a closure, such as a hook and loop closure, that is substantially vertical. The closure may be offset and/or lateral. The back closure may be provided to prevent exposure of the patient's backside when ambulating or walking.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a medical garment is provided in the form of a medical top. The medical top may include any and all of the features discussed above in various combinations with respect to the medical gown. The medical top may have a shorter length than the medical gown.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a medical garment is provided in the form of medical boxer shorts. The boxer shorts may include an elastic waist and with a closure at the groin and/or waist. The closure may be a hook and loop closure, snap closure, or other available closure device. The closures are configured to provide access to the groin area for medical procedures, e.g., for cardiac catheterizations, and post procedure examinations, e.g., assessment of a puncture site, swelling, bleeding or hematoma, while maintaining as much coverage of a patient's private areas as possible. Such garments encourage frequent assessments by medical/nursing staff, improve patient comfort and reduce patient stress. The boxer shorts may be configured for use with a hospital gown or medical top, embodiments of which are described herein.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the gown, top and/or boxer shorts described herein may be provided in a polyester/cotton blend (e.g., a 65%/35% blend or a 75%/25% blend) that is easily laundered and/or autoclavable. Other suitable materials may be utilized.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the use of hook and loop fasteners for the closures on the medical garment(s) described herein provide for touch closure, easy accessibility and comfort.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the medical garment may include a front portion having a first neck opening periphery, a first off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first neck periphery, the first off-center opening extending less than the full length of the front portion, and at least one exterior side pocket. The garment may include a back portion having a second neck opening periphery, where the first neck opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery form a neck opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery, where the second off-center opening extends the entire length of the back portion.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the first off-center opening extends approximately to the bottom of a wearer's ribcage. In an example embodiment, either or both of the first off-center opening and the second off-center opening are closable with hook and loop fasteners. In an example embodiment, either or both of first off-center opening and the second off-center opening is closable with either or both of snaps and buttons. The second off-center opening may overlap by between 4 and 8 inches when closed. According to an example embodiment, the second off-center opening overlaps by more than 8 inches or less than 4 inches when in a closed position. The garment may include two sleeve portions, where at least one of the two sleeve portions has a sleeve opening that extends from the neck opening to an outer end of the sleeve portion. According to an example embodiment, the sleeve opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners. The garment may have slanted external side pockets. The garment may be autoclavable. The garment may, e.g., be made of a 65%/35% polyester/cotton blend fabric and/or a 75%/25% polyester/cotton blend fabric. In an example embodiment, the garment may have one or more internal pockets.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the medical garment may resemble boxer shorts. The medical shorts may include a waist section, a left leg opening, a right leg opening, a left side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, where the left side opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners, and a right side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the right leg opening, where the right side opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners. In an example embodiment, the waist section is adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at the right side opening and/or the left side opening. The front opening may extend downward from the waist section and/or be closable with a hook and loop fastener.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, the medical garment may include a first garment and second garment to be worn with the first garment. The first garment may include a front portion having a first neck opening periphery, a first off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first neck periphery, where the first off-center opening extends less than the full length of the front portion, and at least one exterior side pocket. The first garment may include a back portion having a second neck opening periphery, where the first neck opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery form a neck opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery, where the second off-center opening extends the entire length of the back portion. The second garment may include a waist section, a left leg opening, a right leg opening, a left side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, where the left side opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners, and a right side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the right leg opening, where the right side opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners and the waist section is adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at either or both of the right side opening and the left side opening.

FIG. 1 shows a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The example medical garment 1 has a front portion 5 and a back portion 10. The front portion 5 has a first neck periphery 15 and the back portion 10 has a second neck periphery 20. The first neck periphery 15 and the second neck periphery 20 form a necking opening 25 which surrounds a wearer's neck. The front portion has a first off-center opening 30 that extends in a downward direction from the first neck periphery 15 and extends a distance less than the length of the front portion 5. In the example of FIG. 1, the first off-center opening extends approximately to the bottom of the ribcage of a wearer. However, it should be appreciated that, according to other embodiments, the first off-center opening can extend to any length up to the length of the front portion 5. The first off-center opening is closable with hook and loop fasteners 35, 40, which may be, e.g., Velcro®. While two separate fastening locations are depicted in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that any number of such points may be employed, or a continuous strip of hook and loop fabric may be used. It will be further appreciated that one or more types of fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closures (e.g., hook and loop, adhesive) snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks, and/or other enclosure device(s). A combination of fastener types may be used. The front section 5 also has two slanted side pockets 45. Although the medical garment of FIG. 1 extends approximately to the knees of the wearer, it should be appreciated that, according to other example embodiments, the medical garment may be longer or shorter.

FIG. 2 shows a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with a monitoring device 50. The monitoring device 50, which may be, e.g., a heart monitoring device or any other medical device, fits in the slanted side pocket 45. A slanted side pocket allows for minimal shifting of the monitoring device and reduces fatigue on wires that extend from either the top or the side of the monitoring device. The slant of the pocket(s) may lean towards or away from the front center axis of the garment. Non-slanted, e.g., vertical or horizontal, pockets may be used. In an example embodiment, any number of pockets may be employed. FIG. 2 shows sleeve portions 55 having a sleeve openings 60 that extend from the neck opening 25 to an outer end 65 of the sleeve portion. The sleeve openings 60 are closed with hook and loop fasteners 70. In this and other embodiments of the present invention, other fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closures (e.g., hook and loop, adhesive) snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks, and/or other enclosure device(s).

FIG. 3 shows a medical garment 1 in an open-shoulder position according to an embodiment of the present invention. Because the sleeve opening 60 extends to the neck opening 25, the entire shoulder of the wearer may be exposed by opening the fasteners 70. This may provide for access to upper body regions while limiting unnecessary exposure of other portions of the wearer's body.

FIG. 4 shows an example interior view of a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front portion 5 has an interior pocket 75. The interior pocket 75 allows wires directly from a monitoring device to a wearer without passing through an opening in the exterior of the garment. It should be appreciated that any number of interior pockets may be used and may be offset rather than centrally disposed. It will be further appreciated that slanted interior pockets may be used.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a medical garment may have one or more slanted or otherwise (e.g., upright, horizontal, etc.) outside pockets. The medical garment may also have one or more slanted or otherwise interior pockets. The position of the pocket(s) depend upon the intended use. For example, a first interior pocket may be disposed at a higher or side area as discussed herein to assist in holding, e.g., a heart monitoring device. A second or more interior pockets may be disposed at a lower location(s) to hold, e.g., a portable drug-delivering or related device or other medical item(s).

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a medical garment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The back portion 10 has a second off-center opening 80 extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery 20 and extending the entire length of the back portion 10. The overlapping of the second off-center opening 80 may be between 4 and 8 inches, e.g., 6 inches, to reduce the possibility of unwanted exposure of, e.g., the wearer's backside, thus increasing privacy. The second off-center opening 80 is closed using laterally oriented hook and loop fasteners 85. It should be appreciated, however, that other fasteners may be employed, such as, e.g., a touch device (such as hook and loop fasteners, adhesive), a vertically-oriented fastener, snaps, buttons, zipper, string, metal hooks, and/or other enclosure device. In an example embodiment, the overlapping of the second off-center opening 80 may be larger or smaller than the 4 to 8 inches range. In an example embodiment, the overlapping is dependent upon the physical size and/or individual preference for closeness of fit of the person wearing the garment. For example, for a small person, the overlapping may be large since the garment may be tightened to give a desired closeness of fit. For example, for a large-built person, the overlapping may be small since the garment may not require much tightening to provide a desired closeness of fit. In embodiments, the overlapping also may be dependent upon the wearer's or supervising medical personnel's desired closeness of fit of the garment.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The medical boxer shorts 100 are a medical garment having an elastic waist section 105, a left leg opening 110, a right leg opening 115, and a front opening 120 that extends downward from the waist section 105. Although the medical garment depicted in FIG. 6 is a pair of medical boxer shorts, it should be appreciated that according to other example embodiments, the medical garment may be longer, such as, e.g., pants, cropped pants, short pants. It will also be appreciated that, according to other example embodiments, the waist section may be inelastic.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of medical boxer shorts 100 with a front opening 120 in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front opening may be closed with a hook and loop fastener 125. It should be appreciated, however, that other fasteners may be used, such as, e.g., touch closure (e.g., adhesive, hook and loop fastener, etc.), snaps, buttons, zipper, string, mechanical hooks, and/or other enclosure device(s).

FIG. 8 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A left side opening 130 extends downwardly from the waist section 105 to the left leg opening 110.

FIG. 9 shows a left side view of medical boxer shorts 100 with a left side opening 130 in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention. The left side opening may be opened by opening hook and loop fasteners 135. In this regard the entire left side of the medical boxer shorts 100 can be opened, allowing access localized regions of the wearer's midsection while reducing overall exposure. On each side of the left side opening, the waist section has fastening elements. This allows the fastening elements to be matched up so as to adjust the waist size. While the fastening elements depicted in FIG. 9 are discrete, it should be appreciated that, according to other example embodiments, the fastening elements may be continuous. It will be further appreciated that, although the fastening elements depicted in FIG. 9 are of the hook and loop variety, other fasteners may be employed, such as, e.g., snaps, buttons, zipper, string, mechanical hook (such as a metal hook to attach to a ring), and/or other enclosure device(s).

In an embodiment of the present invention, an essentially identical (mirror image to the left side opening described herein) right side opening (not shown in FIG. 9) is situated on the right side of the medical boxer shorts 100.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a medical boxer shorts may include all of the left side, right side, and front openings, or various combinations of same.

It should be appreciated that the fastener(s) used with the example hospital gown, medical top, and/or medical shorts, may be any available fastener(s), including, e.g., a touch closure (such as hook and loop, adhesive, etc.), snaps, button, zipper, string, metal hook, and/or other enclosure device(s). More than one type of fastener may be employed at a time and/or in a single closure location on a garment.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular examples and embodiments, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to those examples and embodiments. Moreover, the individual features of the example embodiments may be combined or separated in any manner. The present invention as claimed therefore includes variations from the specific examples and embodiments described herein, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art. 

1. A medical garment, comprising: a front portion having a first neck opening periphery, a first off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first neck periphery, the first off-center opening extending less than the full length of the front portion, and at least one exterior side pocket; and a back portion having a second neck opening periphery, the first neck opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery forming a neck opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery, the second off-center opening extending the entire length of the back portion.
 2. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the first off-center opening is configured to extend approximately to the bottom of a wearer's ribcage.
 3. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first off-center opening and the second off-center opening is configured to be closed with hook-and-loop fasteners.
 4. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first off-center opening and the second off-center opening is configured to be closed with at least one of snaps and buttons.
 5. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the second off-center opening overlaps by between 4 and 8 inches when in a closed position.
 6. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the second off-center opening overlaps by approximately 6 inches when in a closed position.
 7. The medical garment of claim 1, further comprising two sleeve portions, at least one of the two sleeve portions having a sleeve opening that extends from the neck opening to an outer end of the sleeve portion.
 8. The medical garment of claim 7, wherein the sleeve opening is selectively closed with hook-and-loop fasteners.
 9. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one external side pocket is slanted.
 10. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is autoclavable.
 11. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is comprised of a fabric having a 65%/35% polyester/cotton blend.
 12. The medical garment of claim 1, wherein the medical garment is comprised of a fabric having a 75%/25% polyester/cotton blend.
 13. The medical garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one internal pocket.
 14. A medical garment, comprising: a waist section; a left leg opening; a right leg opening; a left side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, the left side opening selectively closed with hook and loop fasteners; and a right side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the right leg opening, the right side opening selectively closed with hook and loop fasteners, wherein the waist section is adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at at least one of the right side opening and the left side opening.
 15. The medical garment of claim 14, further comprising a front opening extending downward from the waist section, the front opening selectively closed with a hook and loop fastener.
 16. A medical outfit, comprising: a first garment having a front portion including a first neck opening periphery, and a first off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the first neck periphery, the first off-center opening extending less than the full length of the front portion, at least one side pocket, and a back portion including a second neck opening periphery, the first neck opening periphery and the second neck opening periphery forming a neck opening, and a second off-center opening extending in a downward direction from the second neck opening periphery, the second off-center opening extending the entire length of the back portion; and a second garment configured to be worn with the first garment, the second garment including a waist section, a left leg opening, a right leg opening, a left side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the left leg opening, the left side opening configured to be closed with hook and loop fasteners, and a right side opening extending downwardly from the waist section to the right leg opening, the right side opening selectively closed with hook and loop fasteners, wherein the waist section is adjustable between different hook and loop fasteners at at least one of the right side opening and the left side opening. 